Clasp



G. G. SABHNS CLASP Filed April 14, 1934 L .m T

INVENTOR.

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ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 3, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT CLASP George G.

Sabins, Glendale, Calif., assignor to Application April 14,

3 Claims.

My invention relates to clasps particularly adapted, although not necessarily, for use on garters.

It is a purpose of my invention to provide a clasp which is structurally characterized by its simplicity, durability, low cost of manufacture, and flatness of form when gripping an article so as to render it particularly adaptable to womens garters as it forms no discernible protuberances, and, hence, is invisible when worn beneath an outer garment.

It is also a purpose of my invention to provide a clasp which is functionally characterized by the security with which it grips an article and particularly a stocking or sock, and in such manner as to preclude the possibility of tearing or forming runners in the stocking; the rapidity and ease with which the clasp can be manipulated. to effect release of the stocking or other article; and the reversibility of the movable jaw of the clasp in respect to the fixed jaw thereof to permit secure gripping of a stocking or other article at either side thereof.

Iwill describe only one form of clasp embodying my invention, and will then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

In the accompanying drawing;

Fig. 1 is a view showing in front elevation, one form of clasp embodying my invention, as applied to a garter and in gripping relation to a stocking or other article.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the clasp in rear elevation.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 2 showing the clasp in released position with respect to the stocking.

Fig. 5 is a view showing the clasp in edge elevation, and the parts thereof in article gripping position.

In carrying out my invention, I provide a clasp which comprises three main elements, namely, a fixed jaw F, an operating lever L, and a movable jaw M. All three elements are made from sheet metal, and characterized by their flatness individually and collectively when in article gripping position.

The fixed jaw F is of substantially U-form to provide a correspondingly shaped opening therein the side walls I5 of which converge to the closed end of the jaw as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2, so that the jaw is of wedge or tapered form. The free extremities of the jaw F are bent upon themselves to form sleeves 16in which pins 1934, Serial No. 720,579

ll of the operating lever L are loosely received to pivotally connect the jaw with the lever and in such manner that, as used in practice, these pivots provide a fulcrum point for the lever about which it can be rocked on the jaw.

The lever L comprises a flat and broad body l8 provided with a transverse slot I9, and a reduced and fiat extension 26. The body it is punched at opposite edges of the extensions 29 to form the pivot pins ll. With the pins so positioned, the extension may project and is freely movable between the legs of the jaw F and to either side thereof. The extension 28 is formed at its free end with a transverse slot 2! to provide a pivot pin 22 which is engaged by a sleeve 23 on one end of the movable jaw M. Thus the jaw M is hingedly connected to the extension so as to be operable in part by the lever L, as will be more fully described hereinafter.

'Ilhe movable jaw M has the same general contour as the opening in the fixed jaw F, its side edges 24 converging toward the free end of the jaw to give to it the form of a wedge in keeping with the wedge form of the fixed jaw, in order that the two jaws may coact in securely gripping an article interposed between the jaws.

As my clasp is especially adapted for use on garters and particularly womens garters, I have illustrated the clasp as being connected to an elastic strap S extended through the slot IQ of the lever L, and engaging a stocking K.

In practice, the clasp is applied to the stocking preferably by inserting the jaw F between the leg and the marginal edge of the stocking, so that the stocking. spans the opening of the jaw, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 3. Meanwhile the jaw M is in released position at the outer side of the stocking, as shown in Fig. i, and the lever L is in the inclined or inactive position, shown in the same figure, by reason of the fact that the elastic strap S is now slack because of the bent position of the person wearing the garter belt or corset of which the strap forms a part.

Now by rocking the lever L from the inactive position to the vertical or active position shown in Fig. 2, the movable jaw ll is slid downward, so that by simultaneously guiding with the fingers, the free end of the jaw M inwardly of the jaw F, and also pressing inwardly on the pivot of the jaw M, it will finally reach the gripping In this position, the

position shown in Fig. 2. free end of the jaw M is extended to the back of the transverse end of the jaw F to securely grip the stocking between the two jaws at this point.

Meanwhile, other portions of the stocking are wedged between the converging side edges of the two jaws, under sliding downward movement of the jaw M. Thus, it will be clear that the jaws are operable to grip the stocking in a plurality of places, so that the combined area of stocking gripped is sufficient to so distribute the strain or pull imposed on the stocking by the strap as to preclude tearing of the stocking orthe formation of runners therein. 1

Once the strap is placed under tension to exert a pull upward on the lever L, which reacts to cause the stocking to exert a downward pull on the jaw F, the lever is maintained in active position to secure the movable jaw M in stocking gripping position. However, the security with which the stocking is wedged between the jaws, coupled with the alined position and spacing of pivots I! and 22 precludes movement of the jaws relatively, even when tension on the strap is removed, so that accidental release of the stocking is prevented.

Disengagement of the clasp from the stocking can, nevertheless, be easily and quickly effected by manually moving the lever to inactive position to retract the movable jaw to released position, when the clasp can be removed from the stocking.

Although I have specifically described the clasp as applied to a stocking, with the jaw F at the inner side of the stocking, it will be understood that the position of the clasp with respect to the stocking can be reversed, that is, the jaw F can be applied to the outer side of the stocking, while the jaw M is reversed in its position with respect to the jaw F. Such movement of the jaw M is accomplished by moving it together with the lever L and outwardly through the jaw F. Thus, it will be clear that the clasp can be applied in two ways at the option of the user, but practice teaches one that the first described way is the more desirable.

By reason of the reversability of the movable jaw and lever, as described above, there is presented a distinct advantage in connecting the clasp to the strap S. lhis advantage lies in the fact that one does not have to regard which side of the clasp is presented to the outer side of the strap, for it is apparent that the clasp can be operated from either side thereof, and the movable jaw and lever reversed in position to allow either mode of application to the stocking, and irrespective of which side of the clasp is presented to the outer side of the strap;

Although I have herein shown and described the coacting gripping edges of the jaws F and M as converging, it will be understood that they 7 Thus when it is worn beneath the thinnest of may be made diverging to increase the area of stocking gripped by the jaws, and thus, further preclude the possibility of tearing or forming runners in the stocking.

From the foregoing description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, it will be manifest that I have provided a clasp which when in article gripping position, lies flat against any object upon which it is supported. In the use of my clasp on a garter, the clasp lies 10 fiat against the leg and forms no protuberances.

outer garments, it is invisible.

I claim:

1. As an article of manufacture, a clasp having; a fixed jaw of U-form, the inner edges of which converge to the closed end of the jaw; a lever fulcrummed on the free ends of the fixed jaw; and a movable jaw tapered in form to correspond to the taper of the inner edges of the fixed jaw, and so pivoted on the lever as to be slidable in one direction or the other through the fixed jaw according as the lever is rocked in one direction or the otheron the fixed jaw.

2. A clasp having; a fixed jaw provided with an opening therein, the inner edges of which converge toward one end thereof; a lever fulcrummed on the other end of the fixed jaw to swing through the jaw opening to either side of the jaw; and a movable jaw carried by the lever and movable through the fixed jaw opening to either side of the fixed jaw, said movable jaw being tapered to correspond to the taper of the inner edge of the opening of the fixed jaw and being so movable on the lever as to be operable thereby to occupy a position inwhich it is extended through the fixed jaw opening to coact with the fixed jaw in gripping an article between the jaws.

3. A clasp having; a lever comprising a main body formedof a single piece of fiat metal and having a fiat extension at one end of reduced width, and provided with a slot adjacent its free end to form a pivot pin at its free end, pivot pins at opposite edges of said extension; a fixed jaw of flat U-form having its extremities pivoted on said pins; and a movable jaw formed of a single piece of flat metal terminating at one end in a sleeve rotatably embracing that pivot pin at the free end of the extension to pivotally connect the movable jaw to the extension in such manner that the movable jaw is swingable through the fixed jaw to either side thereof, and

slidable lengthwise by movement of said lever about said pivot pins as a center.

GEORGE G. SABINS. 

